Microphones

Need to take your sound to the next level, a studio microphone for recording is what you need. Shop our hand-picked Studio Microphones. Choose from Condenser, Dynamic, Ribbon, USB, and more. Break records without breaking the bank!

Rode NT1-A Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Large-Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Mic with Shockmount, Pop Shield, XLR Cable, and Dust Cover

Neumann TLM 103 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Large-diaphragm Cardioid Microphone in Wooden Jeweler's Box with 20Hz-20kHz Frequency Range

Blue Microphones Bluebird SL Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Large-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone with Highpass Filter and -20dB Pad

Aston Microphones Spirit Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Cardioid, Omni, and Figure-8 Polar Patterns, 1" Gold-evaporated Capsule, and Built-in Pop Filter

Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Medium-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Medium-diaphragm Cardioid Condenser Microphone with Pivoting Stand Mount

What is a microphone, and what types of microphones are there?

At its simplest, a microphone converts audio into an electrical signal that can be used in either analog or digital formats. Here are some of the most common microphone types:

Condenser Microphones

Also known as capacitor microphones, condenser mics are highly sensitive and work best when capturing audio sources that require a lot of detail such as a vocal performance.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic microphones can be used for a variety of purposes, such as miking guitar amp cabinets and broadcasting. They often have good off-axis noise rejection, which means that they will only capture sound from the direction in front of the microphone. Dynamic microphones require a preamp and lots of gain, but their low-level signal makes them ideal for use with loud audio sources.

Ribbon Microphones

Also known as a velocity microphone, a dynamic mic uses a thin strip of metal - called a ribbon - that's suspended in a magnetic field to convert audio into an electrical signal. The ribbon serves as both the diaphragm and transducer element, producing great sensitivity like condenser microphones while still providing an ideal transient response for capturing various types of audio sources.

USB Microphones

Like a condenser, a USB microphone is highly delicate but will change audio directly into digital. This technology omits the requirement for phantom power or something else entirely, making USB mics a well-liked choice for plug-and-play setups.

Lavalier Microphones

A lavalier mic is a small clip-on microphone that is widely used in television or interviews. It is small enough to be hidden from view in a video shot while still picking up a clean audio source.

Shotgun Microphones

Videographers and voice-over artists alike enjoy shotgun mics for their directional audio-capturing abilities in ever-changing environments. If you need an overhead miking solution or precise field recording, look no further than the trusty old shotgun mic.

What is a microphone polar pattern?

The polar pattern of a microphone refers to the directionality of sound that is picked up by its diaphragm. This, in turn, affects how the microphone sounds, as well as how much sound it picks up. There are three main types of polar patterns that you'll encounter when shopping for microphones:

Omnidirectional

This microphone is designed to record sound evenly from all directions.

Figure 8

This microphone only picks sound from the front, effectively rejecting any sounds coming from the sides.

Cardioid

This microphone is most effective when sound comes from the front and lessens significantly when coming from the rear or sides.

What should I consider when choosing the best microphone for me?

Application

It's essential to select the right microphone for the task at hand since various types of microphones are better equipped than others for specific instruments, environments, or vocal types - this is especially important to consider when recording in a studio versus live. Even though there isn't a rigid guideline about what use cases are appropriate for each type of microphone, starting with the most effective one will result in optimal recordings no matter what.

Budget

Technology has progressed to a point where anyone can create professional audio recordings, not just those who can afford top-of-the-line equipment. In addition to your microphone, other important recording components include your audio interface, preamp, and acoustic treatment. If you're unsure of which microphone is right for you based on your budget, see our blogs on best budget recording microphones and best vocal mics for under $1000.

Portability

Some microphones, like the Sennheiser MKE 600, can be taken with you when traveling for vlogging or other recording needs. If that’s what you need, choose a microphone that’s battery-powered or get a portable recorder.

Why shop Studio Monitors at MikesMixMaster.com?

All of the products listed on this site have been sourced from different manufacturers and physically tested for quality over long periods of time by real audio engineers. Only products with top reviews and customer satisfaction have been chosen. Affordability has also been taken into account when sourcing these items. There is lots of audio equipment online and it can be hard to know what is actually worth your money, so we've spent hours, days, and months researching and testing these items so you can spend more time recording.